Virtual Reality (VR) is now gaining traction and movie studios are jumping into the fray. The charge is being led by 20th Century Fox, which has thrown in The Martian VR Experience for the HTC Vive and the PlayStation VR Nov. 15.
Film-Based Virtual Reality
As the name indicates, it is based on the Matt Damon movie of the same title released in 2015. It is not a game but a space simulation VR. Essentially, it will let users explore Mars from the perspective of Damon's character Mark Watney.
There are two critical variables in the release of the The Martian VR Experience, which was developed by Fox Innovation Lab. First, it is a non-gaming title, which should put it odds with the first wave of VR contents that populate the Vive and the PlayStation VR platforms.
Second, the game has an eye-watering price tag. It is worth $20, which effectively makes The Martian VR Experience the most expensive non-gaming VR title to date.
Those two cited variables could either prop The Martian VR Experience up or drag it down spectacularly. At this point, there are currently few non-gaming VR contents for both Vive and PlayStation VR so the title enjoys the advantages of early market entry. But the price works against its chances. It is twice the amount of movie tickets and could only offer a 30-minute VR experience. There is nothing much one can do with a VR content made to last in that span of time.
VR From Mark Watney's Perspective
Still, Fox is banking on the Martian brand. The film is a major blockbuster last year. In addition, the VR content itself is not too shabby either. There is the unique experience of navigating Mars' zero gravity atmosphere. Users also get to use objects such as an all-terrain rover and be in scenes that are inspired by actual scenes in "The Martian" film.
"With The Martian VR Experience, we were able to take Ridley's cinematic vision and create an immersive VR experience that gives people the ability to be Mark Watney, to face his struggles, experience his successes, as if they were part of the film," Robert Stromberg, director of The Martian VR Experience, said.
It is important to note that those who were able to try the title out at CES last January were quite impressed. With the amount of time that has passed since then, VR fans should already expect a much better and polished VR experience.
